Sofa bed



April 28, 1964 N. P. scHRElNER SOFA BED 3 Sheets-Sheec 1 Filed July '7, 1961 April 28, 1964 N. P. scHRElNER 3,130,423

SOFA BED Filed July 7, 1961 s sheets-sheet 2 2 i l (M M7 7 ly' J INVENToR.

April 28, 1964 N. P. scHRElNL-:R

SOFA BED 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 7, 1961 IN V EN TOR. /Van/a/ E56/freiner ,4 rfa/wey.

United States Patent Otlce 3,130,423 Patented Apr. 28, 1964 tide-23 STA BED Nerval P. Schreiner, PAE. lion i131, S. S. Station, u. ringfield, Mo. Filed .lnly 7, 195i, Ser. No. 122,597 3 Claims. (Cl. S-ll This invention relates to new and useful improvements in that class of furniture piece commonly called a sofa bed, being a furniture piece capable of being arranged selectively to form either a sofa hed or couch, or a bed, as desired.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of a sofa bed so arranged that the lengthwise dimension of the device when arranged as a bed is in a front-to-rear direction of the device when in bed form. In the usual sofa bed, which is converted into a bed by moving upper and lower seat sections into coplanar relation, or by moving the back section into coplanar relation with the seat section, the front-to-rear dimension of the sleeping surface thus formed is far too small to serve as a major dimension of the bed. Moreover, when the major dimension of the bed is arranged to extend from side to side, so as to utilize the full width of the sofa, the sleeping area is far narrower than in a standard bed, too narrow to provide normal sleeping width for two persons. lEven if the sofa bed were to be provided with upper and lower seat sections and a back section, all operable to be moved into coplanar relation, the front-torear dimension would still be too small for the lengthwise dimension of a bed. My invention contemplates a sofa bed utilizing four cushioned sections, that is, upper and lower seat sections and front and rear back sections. The upper seat section and iront back section being utilized when the device is in sofa form, while all four sections are movable into coplanar relation to form a bed. The `front-to-rear dimension of the resulting sleeping surface may be equal to the length of a standard bed, say six feet, or even to the length of a hing size bed, say six and one-half feet, or even longer. The width of the sleeping surface is of course limited only by the width of the sofa, and this often is greater than the width of a standard bed. Thus my invention provides a device which while requiring substantially no more than standard floor space when in sofa form, nevertheless makes into a bed of full standard size or even larger than standard size.

Another object is the provision of a sofa -bed of the character described wherein the extra or additional length thereof when made into bed form extends entirely forwardly from the sofa frame, not rearwardly. Thus the bed may be formed without pulling the sofa out from the room wall. This is accomplished by providing for the bodily shifting of the seat sections forwardly in the sofa frame, in order to make room for both back sections rearwardly of said seat sections, but forwardly from the rearward edge of said sofa `frame.

Still another object is the provision of novel and automatically operable means for supporting the seat sections when the device .is in bed form.

A further object is the provision of a sofa bed of the character described which is mechanically simple and which may -be operated easily by anyone.

Another object is the provision of a sofa bed of the character described in which is avoided the discomfort normally associated with the division lines between the Another object is the provision of a sofa bed of the character described wherein the sleeping surface is disposed at full seating level, whereby to avoid floor drafts and the feeling of sleeping on the floor.

Another object is the provision of ample storage space for bedding and the like.

Another object is the provision of a sofa bed the conversion of which from sofa to bed forms does not involve folding or bending of the cushion spring or upholstery assemblies, thereby avoiding the weakening or eventual destruction of these assemblies. Bach seat or back section is individually spring and cushioned, and permits the use of any desired type of spring structure.

Other objects and simplicity and economy of construction, eiciency and dependability of operation, and applicability of the principles involved to a one-person chair, whereby lto form a single bed.

With these objects in view, as well as other objects which will appear in the course of lthe specification, reference will be had to the drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a sofa bed embodying the present invention, shown in sofa form,

HG. 2 is a slightly irregular sectional view taken on line ll-ll of FIG. 1,

PEG. 3 is a view similar to FlG. 2, showing an intermediate step in the conversion of the device to bed form,

PEG. 4 is a view similar to Il'llG. 2, showing the device fully converted to bed form,

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the device as shown in FlG. 4,

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line Vl-VI of FiG. 4, and

PEG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line Vil- Vil of HG. 6.

Like reference numerals apply to similar parts throughout the several views, and the numeral 2 applies generally to the frame of the sofa bed. Said frame includes a pair of spaced apart, generally planar and vertical arm members d, said arm members being rigidly connected together by a planar iloor 6 at their lower edges, a forward transverse wall S rising vertically yfrom the forward edge of door e, and a rearward transverse wall itl rising vertically from the rearward edge of said floor. Said door and walls define a bedding compartment l2. Arms 4 are also rigidly connected by a horizontal cross bar le extending transversely between the upper rear portions thereof. Frame 2 is ysupported for easy movement .over the floor by a set of wheels or casters la. Aixed to the inner surface of each of arms 4, substantially at seat level, is an inwardly opening channel i3, said channel extending horizontally from a point adjacent the forward edge of the arm to a point spaced forwardly from the rearward edge of the arm. Also aixed to the inner surface of each of arms d is a second inwardly opening channel 2i?, said channel extending upwardly and slightly forwardly from a point -substantially at the level of channel 13, but spaced rearwardly therefrom. Channel i8 is closed at its forward end and open at its rearward end, and the lower wall thereof is formed to present an arcuate `dip or depression 2.2 adjacent the rearward end of the channel, and a second `dip or depression 24 approximately midway between the ends of the channel. Channel 2d is closed at its lower end and open at its upper end. The open ends of the channels permit easy assembly of the seat and back sections lin the frame, as will presently appear.

Supported between arms d, and above the bedding compartment l2, are the padded or upholstered sections or panels which are adapted to be moved to form selectively a bed or a sofa or chair. Considering the device first in its sofa form, these sections include an upper seat section 26, lower seat section 28, forward back section 30, and

Yconjunction with each other.

rearward back section 32. When the device is in sofa form, only sections 26 and 3i? are utilized, section 26 being disposed horizontally, and section 38 rising upwardly from the rearward edge of section 26. Although the specific construction of said seat and back sections is not particularly pertinent in the present invention, and is not here shown, it will be understood that each of said sections is provided with a rigid frame 34, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, usually substantially rectangular, in which may be mounted any desired type of spring assembly, not shown, and over which may be mounted suitable padding layers 36, whereby the operative or loadbean'ng surface of said section is cushioned.

Upper seat section 26 is supported adjacent its rearward edge by a pair of rollers 38 disposed respectively at the vopposite ends of said seat section and engaged operatively in channels 18, so as to be movable forwardly and rearwardly with respect to frame 2. Each of said rollers is mounted on a post 4i) aiiixed to and extending horizontally outwardly from section 26, and said rollers are coaxial with each other. Section 26 is supported adjacent its forward edge, when the device is in sofa form, by a pair of iianges 42 attached respectively to the opposite ends thereof and extending horizontally outwardly therefrom, said lianges resting by gravity on the upper edges of channels 18.

Lower seat section 28 is disposed, when the device is in sofa form, directly beneath section 26, with its cushioned surface down. Said sections are joined at their forward edges by a pair of hinges 44, said hinges being coaxial and disposed respectively at opposite sides of said sections. Section 28 has its rearward edge supported by attachment thereof to the rearward edge of section 26, hooks 46 and eyes 48, or any other suitable fasteners, being utilized for this purpose. Any desired number of these hooks and eyes may be employed, spaced across the width of the sections.

When it is desired to convert the device to bed form,

sections 26 and 28 are first pivoted upwardly about rollers .ment thereof during this operation. The lower edge of Vsection 28 is then moved forwardly to cause section 28 to pivot on hinges 44, and the upper edge of section 26 pivots forwardly about rollers 38, until sections 26 and 28 are coplanar and form an extended sleeping surface in Both sections are then pulled forwardly until rollers 38 engage the closed forward ends of channels 18, sections 26 and 28 then having the positions shown in FIG. 4.

When sections 2'6 and 28 are disposed in bed position ,Y as just described, section 28 is supported adjacent its outer edge by a pair of floor-engaging legs 50 disposed respectively at opposite sides of said section. Each of said legs is pivoted at 52 to section 28 on an axis parallel to hinges 44, and extends above said pivot. A link 54 has Vone end thereof pivoted at S6 to the upper end of said leg, extends rearwardly along the side of section 28, and has its opposite end pivoted at 58 to section 26, just above hinge 44. With the links 54 arranged as shown, relative movement of sections 26 and 28 about hinges 44 will cause said links to extend legs 50 dovmwardly for use when'said sections are Ypivoted to bed relation as shown in FIG. 4, and to pivot said legs to lie along the sides of section 28 when said sections are folded to sofa relation, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Also, when the device is in bed form, sections 26 and 28 are supported at each side thereof adjacent each hinge 44 by a pair of floor-engaging legs 66. The legs of each pair are pivoted at their upper ends, as at 62, respectively to frames 34 of sections 2'6 and 28. Specifically, as best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, said legs are pivoted to auxiliary frame members 64 which are spaced inwardly from the main side members of said frames, whereby to provide spaces 66 between said frame members. Legs 68 operate within these spaces, whereby not to interfere with the hinges 44, links 54, and legs 50. The pivots 62 of legs 6@ are parallel to the axis of hinges 44, and are disposed above said hinges and respectively at opposite sides thereof, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 7. Legs 60'are joined adjacent their lower ends by a link 68, said link having its ends pivoted respectively to said legs, as at 70. Said link prevents the legs from pivoting outwardly away from each other. Said legs are prevented from pivoting together either forwardly or rearwardly, and thus held rigid, by a pair of stops 72 aflixed respectively to the frames of sections 26 and 28, and abutting the confronting edges of said legs. Thus when sections 26 and 28 are pivoted from their bed relation as shown in FIG. 4 to their sofa relation as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, legs 60 are pivoted to extend parallel to the planes of said sections, within frame spaces 66. When sections 26 and 28 are again extended to bed position, legs 68 will automatically be returned to their operative positions.

When the device is in sofa form, as shown in FIG. 2, the forward back section 30 extends upwardly from the rearward edge of seat section 26, and is inclined slightly rearwardly. Rearward back section 32' is disposed behind section 3l), with its cushioned surface facing rearwardly. The upper edges of said back sections are in registry with each other, and are joined by a pair of horizontally coaxial hinges 74 disposed respectively at opposite sides of said sections. Section 38 is supported at its lower edge by a pair of coaxial rollers 76 carried thereby respectively at opposite sides thereof and engaged in the dips 22 of channels 18. Sections 3l? and 32 are prevented from pivoting rearwardly about rollers 76 by the engagement of section 32 with cross bar 14.

Section 32 is provided adjacent its lower edge with a pair of horizontally coaxial rollers 78 respectively atropposite sides thereof, said rollers being operably engaged in the upper portions of chanels 20. A tension spring 80 is disposed at each side of the back sections, in spaced relation below hinges 74. One end of said spring is attached to a post 82 aixed in section 30, and the opposite end of said spring is attached to a post 84 aflixed in section 32. Aiiixed to each side of section 30, below hinge 74, is an outwardly extending flange 86, the purpose of whichwill presently be discussed.

When it is desired to move back sections 30 and 32 into bed form, seat sections 26 and 2S are first extended to their bedrelation as previously described. Then the lower edge of section 30 is pulled forwardly, moving rollers 76 forwardly in channels 18, until the lower edge thereof abuts the rearward edge of section 26, as shown in FIG. 4. At the same time, section 38 pivots relative to section 32 on hinges 74, and section 32 pivots on rollers 78, and the rollers 78 move downwardly by gravity through channels 28 until they engage the closed lower ends of said channels. The cushioned surfaces of sections 30 and 32 are then uppermost, and are coplanar both with each other and with the upper surfaces of sections 26 and 28, whereby to form an extended sleeping surface in conjunction therewith. Springs 86 resist the downward Inovement of hinges '74 until the axis of said hinges passes Ybelow said springs, whereupon said springs tend to hold and adjacent its rearward edge by the engagement of Y Yflanges 86 thereof with the top edges of channels 18.

Section 32 is supported by hinges 74, rollers 78, and by a pair of brackets 88 aixed respectively to the inner surfaces of arms 4 and extending inwardly therefrom.`

Thus it will be apparent that a soft bed having several advantages has been produced. By using two seat and two back sections, all operable to be moved into coplanar relation to form a bed, a much longer bed, in a direction from front to rear of the sofa, is made possible without appreciably increasing the bulk or space requirements of the sofa. As shown, the extra length in the front-to-rear direction extends only forwardly from the frame, not rearwardly, so that it is not necessary to move the device away from a wall to convert it to a bed. The bed may be made still longer, if desired, by increasing the front-to-rear width of section 32. This does not require repositioning of any of the rollers, hinges or other elements, and is a desirable feature where extra length is required, although the length available as shown is quite adequate in normal applications. Increasing the width of section 32 will cause it to project slightly rearwardly from frarne 2 when the device is in bed form, necessitating pulling frame 2 slightly outwardly from the wall. The extra supports necessitated by the forward extension of the sections from the frame, namely legs 56 and 60, are entirely automatic and require no attention from the operator. Special provision is made that virtually eliminates any gap between the sections when made up as a bed, and any discomfort which might otherwise result from gaps or divisions along these lines. It will be seen that the padding of each section is bulged slightly outwardly in the planes of the sections, as indicated at 90 in FIGS. 2 and 3. When the sections are arranged in bed form, these bulged portions of the padding press tightly together along the contiguous edges of the sections, effectively closing any gaps which might otherwise be present. In addition, the sections are so proportioned that the heaviest portions of a sleepers body need not rest on the divisions between the sections. Referring to FIG. 4, it will be seen that a persons head and shoulders may be centered on section 28, his hips on section 26, and only his legs on sections 30 and 32. This arrangement further contributes to the comfort of the bed. Also, the sleeping surface is at normal seating height, rather than much lower as in many sofa beds, thereby avoiding floor drafts, and promoting greater ease and convenience in entering and leaving the bed.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention, it will be readily apparent that many minor changes of structure and operation could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A sofa bed comprising a frame, a normally horizontally disposed upper seat section, means mounting said seat section in said frame for forward and rearward movement and for vertical pivotal movement about a horizontal transverse axis adjacent its rearward edge, a lower seat section normally disposed beneath and substantially coextensively with said upper seat section, said seat sections being pivotally connected together at their forward edges on a horizontal transverse axis whereby said lower seat section may be pivoted to extend forwardly from said upper seat section in coplanar relation therewith, and both of said seat sections moved forwardly as a unit to project forwardly from said frame, means for supporting the forwardly extending portions of said seat sections when they are so extended, a forward back section normally extending upwardly from the rearward edge of said upper seat section, a pair of confronting horizontal channels affixed in said frame respectively at opposite sides of said seat sections and extending forwardly and rearwardly, a pair of coaxial rollers carried respectively at opposite sides of said forward back section adjacent the lower edge thereof and engaged operably in said horizontal channels, whereby said forward back section is supported for forward and rearward movement with respect to said frame and for vertical pivotal movement about the axis of said rollers, a rearward back section normally disposed behind said forward back section, said back sections being pivotally connected at their upper edges on a horizontal transverse axis, a second pair of confronting channels affixed in said frame respectively at opposite sides of said back sections and extending vertically, a second pair of coaxial rollers carried by said rearward back section respectively at opposite sides thereof and adjacent the lower edge thereof, said second rollers being operably engaged in said vertically extending channels, whereby said rearward back section may be moved vertically with respect to said frame and pivoted vertically about the axis of said second rollers, and whereby said back sections may be moved into coplanar relation with said seat sections when said seat sections are extended, all of said sections abutting firmly at their contiguous edges to form a continuous extended sleeping surface, and a pair of flanges affixed respectively to the opposite sides of said forward back section in upwardly spaced relation from said first rollers, said flanges being positioned to engage said horizontal channels when said forward back section is moved to its horizontal position.

2. A sofa bed as recited in claim 1 with the addition of elongated tension springs connected at their opposite ends to said forward back section and said rearward back section below the level of the pivotal connection between said back sections, whereby said springs normally urge said back sections toward each other to retain them in their normal positions, said springs being so positioned that their axes traverse the extended axis of the pivotal connection between said back sections as said back sections are moved to their horizontal positions, whereupon said springs exert tension tending to retain said back sections in said horizontal positions.

3. A sofa bed as recited in claim 1 wherein said means mounting said upper seat section in said frame comprises a third pair of coaxial rollers carried respectively at opposite sides of said upper seat section adjacent the rearward edge thereof and engaged operatively in said horizontal channels, and with the addition of a ange secured to each side of said upper seat section in forwardly spaced relation from said third rollers and operable to rest on said horizontal channels by gravity, releasable fasteners securing the rearward edge of said lower seat section to said upper seat section, and a member secured in said frame behind said back sections and preventing rearward pivoting of said back sections about said first and second rollers.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 749,307 Linderoth Jan. l2, 1904 1,007,855 Freedman Nov. 7, 1911 1,921,325 Richardson Aug. 8, 1933 1,976,753 Thomas Oct. 16, 1934 2,632,897 Thomas Mar. 31, 1953 2,937,382 Laemmle et al May 24, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 755,474 France Sept. 11, 1933 272,204 Switzerland Mar. 1, 1951 1,022,577 France Dec. 17, 1952 806,446 Great Britain Dec. 23, 1958 

1. A SOFA BED COMPRISING A FRAME, A NORMALLY HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED UPPER SEAT SECTION, MEANS MOUNTING SAID SEAT SECTION IN SAID FRAME FOR FORWARD AND REARWARD MOVEMENT AND FOR VERTICAL PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT A HORIZONTAL TRANSVERSE AXIS ADJACENT ITS REARWARD EDGE, A LOWER SEAT SECTION NORMALLY DISPOSED BENEATH AND SUBSTANTIALLY COEXTENSIVELY WITH SAID UPPER SEAT SECTION, SAID SEAT SECTIONS BEING PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TOGETHER AT THEIR FORWARD EDGES ON A HORIZONTAL TRANSVERSE AXIS WHEREBY SAID LOWER SEAT SECTION MAY BE PIVOTED TO EXTEND FORWARDLY FROM SAID UPPER SEAT SECTION IN COPLANAR RELATION THEREWITH, AND BOTH OF SAID SEAT SECTIONS MOVED FORWARDLY AS A UNIT TO PROJECT FORWARDLY FROM SAID FRAME, MEANS FOR SUPPORTING THE FORWARDLY EXTENDING PORTIONS OF SAID SEAT SECTIONS WHEN THEY ARE SO EXTENDED, A FORWARD BACK SECTION NORMALLY EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM THE REARWARD EDGE OF SAID UPPER SEAT SECTION, A PAIR OF CONFRONTING HORIZONTAL CHANNELS AFFIXED IN SAID FRAME RESPECTIVELY AT OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID SEAT SECTIONS AND EXTENDING FORWARDLY AND REARWARDLY, A PAIR OF COAXIAL ROLLERS CARRIED RESPECTIVELY AT OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID FORWARD BACK SECTION ADJACENT THE LOWER EDGE THEREOF AND ENGAGED OPERABLY IN SAID HORIZONTAL CHANNELS, WHEREBY SAID FORWARD BACK SECTION IS SUPPORTED FOR FORWARD AND REARWARD MOVEMENT WITH RESPECT TO SAID FRAME AND FOR 